Cannabis businesses are strictly regulated regarding land use and zoning. Each state, county, and municipality may have its own regulations that limit where a cannabis business can be located and limit the type of business that can be conducted on-site. Zoning regulations and land use laws may restrict business operations in:
- The number of marijuana production sites
- Fencing and access
- Retail locations near schools
- Concentration of cannabis businesses in a certain area
Zoning laws may also limit how and where cannabis businesses can open and operate, with retail businesses permitted in commercial or industrial zones. Processing facilities may be limited to industrial zones and production may be limited to farm use, industrial farming, or small farming operations. In most states, marijuana commercial businesses are not allowed to operate in residential districts.
Other land-use restrictions may have specific requirements for marijuana businesses in time, place, and manner of operations, including:
- Lighting
- Security
- Waste management
- Minimum set-offs
- Water use
- Hours and access
- Odor
- Visibility